The Word and our stiff necks

Verse for the week: If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (I John 1.7) 

Prayer for the week: Almighty and everlasting God, in the wonder of Christ’s death and resurrection, you held not our sins against us, and entrusted to us your message.  Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s body may be ambassadors for him, showing forth in our lives the faith we confess; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, based on II Corinthians 5)

Bible reading for the day:  Acts 7.51-8.1a (note: this is the conclusion of Stephen’s sermon to the Jewish council, circa 35AD. He has traced the history of God’s acts among and for his people, from Abraham in Genesis 12 all the way to Jesus)

 ⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, ⁵³ you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

⁵⁴ Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. ⁵⁸ Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice,“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he died. (Greek: fell asleep)

^8.1And Saul approved of his execution.

Prayer (based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the one who makes sure our sins are not held against us: Jesus our Lord.  Deliver me and your whole church from betraying you and opposing your Spirit with our stiff necks and proud hearts and ears. Each time our ears get full of ourselves, un-stop them. Open our ears and hearts to listen to you, trust you above all others, and bear witness to you…even and especially when it means the death of us.  I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx0rCabJ16c&ab_channel=MartijndeGroot

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT: Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Ex 20.8

What does this mean?  We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  (Eph 3:20-21) 

*The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:
T: thanksgiving
R: regret (repentance)
I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P: plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.